Jose Antonio Reyes dead: Minute’s silence to be held ahead of Champions League final kick-off

The 35-year-old tragically passed away after being involved in a traffic accident

Uefa have confirmed that a minute’s silence for Jose Antonio Reyes will be observed before kick-off at tonight’s Champions League final between Tottenham and Liverpool.

The 35-year-old former Arsenal, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid player was tragically killed in a traffic accident on Saturday morning.

“UEFA and European football are deeply saddened by the terrible news that José Antonio Reyes has passed away today and I would like to express my sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones for their loss,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.

“He had a glittering career and won numerous honours wherever he played and I am shocked and saddened that his life has been so tragically cut short.”

Reyes’ former club Sevilla confirmed the news this morning and tweeted: ”We couldn’t be confirming worse news. Beloved Sevilla star José Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace.”

Arsenal released a statement of their own shortly afterwards which read: ”Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that our former player Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision in Spain,” the club tweeted shortly after.

“Jose Antonio Reyes: 1983-2019. Rest in peace, Jose”

Jose Antonio Reyes returned to Sevilla in 2012 (EPA)

Reyes became the youngest player in Sevilla's history when he made his debut as a 16-year-old, before moving to Arsenal in 2004 and becoming a member of the ‘Invincibles’ squad that won the Premier League title without losing a game.

He returned for Spain on loan with Real Madrid and Atletico, winning league and European titles, before rejoining Sevilla in 2012 where he won the Europa League three times under Unai Emery.